for String Quartet op. 35a-Josef Suk played second Violin in the Bohemian String Quartet. Since 1914 the ensemble was obliged to perform the Austrian national anthem at the opening of every concert. Suk decided to supplement this obligatory piece with a work inspired by the ancient sacred Bohemian St. Wenceslas hymn. The hymn?s message a plea for the well-being of the Czech people directed at their patron saint was immediately understood by the audience.The Bohemian String Quartet performed this single-movement Meditation for the first time on 27 September 1914; the premiere of the version for string orchestra followed on 22 November 1914 played by the CzechPhilharmonic. That same year the piece was published by Fr. A. Urbánek together with arrangements for Piano and Organ.This first Urtext edition prepared by the Sukscholar Zdenek Nouza is published in two scorings one for string quartet and another for String Orchestra (BA9584). The orchestral version differs in some details and has an added part for Double Bass.First Urtext editionInformative trilingual Foreword (Cz/Eng/Ger) and Critical Commentary (Eng) by the editorTwo versions published in two separate editions

Fantasia In F Minor for Strings (1799) after the Organ Piece for Mechanical Organ K.608.Despite their high quality Mozart?s works for unusual instruments or instrumental combinations often receive scant attention. One of these remarkable compositions is a piece for mechanical Organ K. 608 that he wrote for ? Müller?s Art Gallery ? in March 1791. By 1799 it had already appeared in print in Vienna as a fantasy for Piano four-hands.But there were also other transcriptions including one for two Flutes and another for String Quartet.Several sources and later editions attest to the popularity of this contemporary stringarrangement of 1799. Our new volume edited by Christopher Hogwood takes the relevant sources into account.It contains a trilingual preface (Eng./Ger./Cz.) discussing the work?s history and performance practice as well as a detailed critical report.- Almost unknown music from Mozart?s final year.- Transcription of 1799 for String Quartet.- Additional Double Bass part provided to allow performances with Chamber Orchestra.- Detailed preface critical report (Eng./ Cz ./Ger.). Also includes facsimiles.- Full score & parts (BA9505) available for sale.